As a member of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences, Nelson Minnich, professor of Church history and editor of the Catholic Historical Review, has stayed several times at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where the organization holds meetings, and Pope Francis resides. “I have seen Pope Francis regularly at meals in the cafeteria there, where he serves himself at the morning and evening buffets,” Minnich says. On April 12, 2014, Minnich attended a papal audience for members of the committee. He said to the Holy Father in Italian, “May the Lord help you to continue the good work!” The Pope responded, “Let us pray!”

Minnich dedicated the centennial issue of the Catholic Historical Review to Pope Francis and sent him a personal copy with an attached letter. Pope Francis (through his secretary) responded to Minnich, saying “His Holiness assures you and your associates of a special remembrance in his prayers. It is his hope that the fine tradition of scholarship reflected in the pages of the Centennial Issue will continue to inspire your service to the Church’s growth in understanding of her rich spiritual history.”

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Since its foundation in 1887, CUA has been honored with the visits of many presidents and is the only university in America that has been blessed with, soon-to-be, three papal visits. If you want to read more about all these visits, read The Archivist’s Nook: A Brief Meditation on Presidents, Popes, and Power on the Eve of Pope Francis’ Visit.

Although they did not greet him personally, Monsignor Kevin Irwin and David Dawson Vasquez were two of the first CUA employees to be in the same room with Pope Francis after his election. They were fortunate enough to attend the Holy Father’s first public audience on March 16, 2013. Monsignor Irwin blogged about his experiences in Rome during the papal transition.

(Above photo courtesy of Monsignor Irwin)

John Grabowski and his wife, Claire, serve as one of two American member couples of the Pontifical Council for the Family. In October 2013 the council had a private audience with the Holy Father. The Grabowskis were the first couple selected to come forward and greet him (though the Pope would eventually greet everyone in the room). When he had the opportunity to do so, Grabowski, asked the Pope to pray for Claire, as she had been in the hospital the month before.

“Without hesitation, Pope Francis placed his hand on Claire’s head and prayed over her,” John says. “It was an unexpected but wonderful gesture, which made the meeting even more memorable.”

Brian Engelland, interim dean of the School of Business and Economics

Brian Engelland and his wife, Barbara, spent the spring 2014 semester in Rome along with a group of CUA students participating in the study abroad program at CUA’s Rome Center. This location allows one to get “up close and personal” with all the activities in and around the Vatican. During one week, the couple received blessings three times from the Holy Father at different public appearances. At the end of the semester, on May 10, 2014, Engelland attended the annual conference of the Fondazione Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice. At the end of the conference, his family greeted the Pope, and Engelland’s grandchildren had a memorable moment with the Holy Father. (Above photo courtesy of Engelland)

Are you a CUA student, faculty, or staff member who has encountered Pope Francis? Would you like to share a photo and story with us? Contact us at email hidden; JavaScript is required.